Blacksmith working at forge in Blacksmith Shop
"The Blacksmith Shop" by Les Schrader
In the 1800s, no wagon train or burgeoning town was without a blacksmith. Naper’s Settlement was no exception. The blacksmith worked with Iron, a black metal. He made and repaired all kinds of items and tools for the early settlers, for the farmers, for craftsmen and housewives and soldiers too.
This song by contemporary musician Amy Lowe describes the blacksmith’s work:
You can hear the blows of the hammer
You can hear the bellows blow
Aim well, strike the anvil
Hit, hit, rotate rhythmical
The blacksmith is hard at work, making and repairing
Fences, plowshares, wagon wheels
Latches, hinges, hooks and locks
Pokers, shovels, cooking utensils
Nails and rails and wagon parts
Well, you can hear the blows of the hammer
You can hear the bellows blow
The blacksmith is hard at work
Aim well, strike the anvil
Bending, forging, riveting,
Rounding, smoothing, decorating
Punching, twisting, scrolling
Swagging, straightening
You can hear the blows of the hammer
You can hear the bellows blow
Aim well, strike the anvil
Hit, hit, rotate rhythmical
Dull red –just look at the color; return the metal to the fire
Orange heat metal thin as can be; careful now, it bends easily
Well, you can hear the blows of the hammer
You can hear the bellows blow
The blacksmith is hard at work
Aim well, strike the anvil
Flat-jawed tongs for holding metals
Hardies used for cuttin’ tools
Fullers used to spread the metal, coupler rings keep tongs together
Shoulder joint, grasp that hammer; spread the legs and brace the body
You can hear the blows of the hammer
You can hear the bellows blow
Aim well, strike the anvil
Hit, hit, rotate rhythmical
Hit, hit (3 times), hit hit rotate
Hit hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit
Rotate, rhythmical